News

Jan 28, 2015

UPDATE ON SB 943: COMMON SENSE GUN BILL REPORTED OUT OF COURTS OF JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Richmond, Va. – Following Monday’sconfusing vote, this afternoon the Senate Courts of Justice Committee reconsidered Senator Barbara Favola's (D-Arlington) SB 943, a bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. A weakened version of the bill was reported and referred to the Senate Finance Committee on a 10-4 vote – flipping the result previously reported on Virginia’s Legislative Information System. Four Republicans joined all six Democrats in support.

"SB 943 is a common sense reform that protects women and keeps firearms out of the hands of dangerous offenders,” Senator Favola said coming out of the vote. "Victims of domestic violence are 500 times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm – and on average 4,000 women die from domestic violence every year. I am relieved that my Republican colleagues have decided to put partisan politics aside and report the bill.”

SB 943 will appear before Finance Committee in the coming days.

The Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus supports the legislative, political and electoral endeavors of Virginia Democratic senators. The caucus does everything it can to help senators carry out their mission to represent all Virginians and pass legislation that reflects Virginia’s mainstream values.